Eyeglass-case fastener.



No. 798,089. PATENTED AUG. 29, 1905. M. S. GHISM. EYEGLASS CASE FASTBNBR.

APPLICATION FILED APB..23, 1904.

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AUNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

EYEGLSS-CASE FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, 1905.

Application filed April 23, 1904. Serial No. 204,531. v

T0 all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, MURRAY S. CHIsM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Eyeglass-Case Fasteners, of .which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to eyeglass-case fasteners, more particularly to detachable springcatch devices, whatever their uses, consisting of two principal members, usually a head, and a socket for receiving and retaining the head.

My invention belongs directly to that type of spring-fastener which possesses a resilient head or shank member and an independent relatively unyielding socket as the complementary member. The greater number of such fasteners with which I am acquainted are too stiff and require quite a pressure to close them, especially when they are new, and nearly always a greater effort in the nature of a pull to separate the members. When once closed, however, the majority are suificiently effective as fasteners; and it is the object of my invention to produce a fastener of the sort stated which will afford when closed equal security with any at present made and which shall possess in addition the quality of -being easily closed and as easily opened.

I accomplish the object set forth by constructing and associating the parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which- Figure l represents the cross-section of an eyeglass or spectacle case closed with my invention applied. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through both the eyeglass-case and the socket when separated, and Fig. 3 is a like sectional view of the case with shank and socket engaged. Fig. 4 is also a vertical sectional view of the fastener, showing a slightly-modified base portion. The three last figures are fragmentary views and are drawn upon a slightlyenlarged scale to better exhibit the peculiar structures involved.

Like letters refer to like parts throughoutv the drawings.

Each constituent element is described in detail, and its individual office, together with the mode of operation of the whole, fully explained below.

Considering the drawings, letter A marks a case of any suitable construction. Inthe point of the flap is an eyelet B, and the only requisite of the eyelet is that the internal diameter of its opening shall be governed by the size of the heads or bends C of the shank or resilient member D. Beyond the matter of size, as stated, the thickness of the material composing the eyelet and the manner of its attachment to the ap of case A are not essential points.

The spring member of the fastener consists of a single piece of sheet metal,usually stamped in the form shown, with legs E of equal length.

The common body or juncture of the legs is designated by letter F, and yeach is bent downwardly at right angles to the part F. The legs may then be regarded as the support of the shank and body F, by means of which they may be secured in position.

In Figs. 2 and 3 it will be noted that the legs E are turned outwardly at the bottom to form the feet e, and the feet are placed beneath small tongues G, formed bydividing portions of the bottom of case A from the surrounding material on three sides. The tongues are then pressed down to hold the feet and legs in place, as illustrated.

I do not confine myself to the particular devices as drawn and explained for securing the legs in position, as modifications thereof will readily present themselves to persons engaged in the production of similarl things.

Through the thin top a of the pocket of case A the resilient shank D is passed and the bifurcated head C projects. It will now be seen that the thin top a of the pocket rests upon the body F of the fastener and is'thereby fully defended against any amount of pressure exerted upon it from above in repeatedly closing the case. Neck or shank D, which supports the head, may possess any degree of elasticity, and it is not absolutely essential that the head should be divided. I have shown the preferred form with the head C divided by a cleft c, extending down to a greater or less extent into the shank D and increasing its flexibility.

In Fig. 1' I have shown the socket as a simple eyelet B, and in Figs. 2 and 3 the eyelet is provided with a hood b. The difference is a mere matter of detail and constitutes no part of my invention. When the case is closed, the curving surfaces of eyelet and head in meeting cause the head to bend slightly inward and permit the eyelet to pass over and engage it. During this operation the inherent elasticity of the case, which according to present methods of manufacture is fashioned of thin metal, presents itself and is taken into IOO IIO

. case and closed toward each other inwardly to secure the part in place. The operation does not change.

Having thusexplained4 the construction of my invention and described the manner 'ofits l operation,4 what I claim is- 1. In a case-fastener, the combination with a socket, of a flat plate having onek edge extended upwardly to form a shank, the said shank having a split, elastic head comprising a plurality of elastic portions compressible one toward another while passing through the mouth of the socket, each portion of the split head presenting curved surfaces to the mouth of the socket when passing into and out of the socket, substantially as described.

2. In a case-fastener, the combination with a socket, of a flat plate provided with devices by which it may be secured to the case, the said plate having one edge extended upwardly to form a shank, the said shank having a split,

elastic head comprising a plurality of l.elastic portions compressible one toward another while passing through the mouth of the socket, each portion of the said split head presenting curved surfaces to the mouth of the socket when passing into and out of the socket, substantially as described.

3. In a case-fastener, the combination with a socket, of a device provided with a head adapted to enter said socket, the said device being formed of a single piece of metal and comprising a relatively flat bod)7 portion and a shank projecting outwardly and upwardly from one side of said body, said shank having a head formed by turning over its extremity Y upon itself and said head being divided by a cleft leading to said shank, and legs extending downwardly from opposite sides of said body whereby the body may be secured to the case, substantially as described.

4. In an eyeglass-case fastener, the combination with a case having a pocket, of asocket,

,a device situated in said pocket and provided with a head adapted to enter said socket, the said device being formed of a single piece of sheet metal and comprising a relatively fiat body portion and a shank projecting outwardly and upwardly from one side ofsaid body,s aid shank having a head at its extremity, and legs extending downwardly from opposite sides of the said body, and means for securing the legs to the bottom of the case, said shank and head being passed through the top of said pocket whereby said top is supported by said body and legs as set forth.

5. In an eyeglass-case fastener, the combination with a case having a pocket, of a socket, a device situated in said,pocket and provided with a head adapted to enter said socket, the said device being formed of a single piece of sheet metal and comprising a relatively flat body portion and a shank projecting outwardly and upwardly from one side of said body, said shank having a head at its extremity, and legs extending downwardly from opposite sides of the body, the said legs having the feet e, and

the bottom of the case having the tongues Gr closed down upon the said feet, said shank and head being passed through the top of said pocket whereby the top is supported by said body and legs, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MURRAY S. CHISM. y

Witnesses:

A. A. GHRIsrrIns, F. P. FEL'roN, Jr. 

